Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast
185 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★ - 68 ratingsA podcast from CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding) discussing issues related to the world of youth culture, children, teens and young adults.
Hosted by CPYU President Walt Mueller.
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Episodes
Episode 35: "Christian Parenting Myths" with Leslie Leyland Fields
April 18, 2017 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBSome would have us believe that if we find parenting difficult, we must not be following the right plan. They might also say that parenting well always results in Godly children. If you're like most parents, believing these lies can result in a heavy dose of guilt and shame. Because we live in a broken world as broken parents with broken kids, life is never easy. What we need is a heavy dose of realistic theology and good sense to help us navigate the difficult journey of parenting in ways t...
Episode 34: "Transgenderism and Gender Bending" with Ellen Dykas and Dan Wilson
April 03, 2017 16:00 - 1 hour - 65.7 MBIt's as if the landscape of our culture has changed overnight. The issue of transgenderism has moved front and center in our culture, our school, our churches, our youth groups, and in many of our homes. It's safe to say that this new gender landscape is one that we must understand, respond to and navigate. But as parents, how can we do so? What names do we use when addressing transgendered kids? And how do we handle the complex web of logistical issues including bathrooms and sleeping arran...
Episode 33: "Youth, Family, Grandparents and Ministry" with Wayne Rice
March 21, 2017 18:30 - 1 hour - 75.7 MBAnybody who has ever worked as youth minister or youth ministry volunteer owes a debt of gratitude to Wayne Rice. One of the co-founders of Youth Specialities, Wayne has worked to equip and resource youth workers for almost fifty years. Over the course of that time he’s experienced a lot, rethought how we do youth ministry, and is now working to resource grandparents in their efforts to lead their grandchildren to Jesus. We’re thrilled to be chatting with our friend and hero, Wayne Rice, abo...
Episode 32: "Connecting College Students with Christian Community" with Sherri Nee
March 08, 2017 17:06 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBStudies say up to 65-80 percent of people who grow up in the church drop out of church when they become college-aged. It's not intentional. It just happens. But why is this happening? And what can we do as parents, grandparents, pastors, and youth workers to be sure our kids get plugged into a campus fellowship group and church when they arrive on the college campus? We’ll be talking to Sherri Nee, the co-founder of the College Church Connection service, about steps to take to make it easy t...
Episode 31: "Hope for Wounded Hearts" with Denise Gater
February 20, 2017 18:01 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBWalt and Jason begin the podcast with a discussion about gun violence in movies, body image and photo-editing, Russell Wilson ans Ciara, sports specialization, Millennials in the workplace, and heavy alcohol use and brain development. Research reveals the alarming fact that far too many of our boys and girls are being victimized by sexual abuse. It’s our belief that loosened sexual standards and the growing pervasiveness of pornography will only lead to a rise in sexual absue. And, whether ...
Episode 30: "Love of Self" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek
February 09, 2017 11:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBIn recent years, researchers have sounded the warning that narcissism is on the rise in our culture, particularly among the emerging generations. If this is true, the tendency towards following self rather than following God will thwart our spiritual growth and development. Where does this focus on self come from? How is it being manifested in our lives? And what can we do to lead ourselves and our kids into a lifestyle of allegiance to God and service to others, when the world encourages us...
Episode 29: "Prayer, God's Story, and Preaching the Gospel To Yourself" with Scotty Smith
February 01, 2017 17:13 - 1 hour - 76.3 MBIn the Gospel of Luke we read about a time when one of the the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Lord, teach us to pray." In a day and age where distractions are many and times of concentrated silence are disappearing, we'd do well to voice this same request. Here at CPYU, our prayer lives have been greatly enhanced through several books of written prayers, including books written by Scotty Smith. We're engaging with Scotty Smith in a lively and entertaining conversation about faith, cult...
Episode 28: "Popculture + Beatlemania" with Steve Turner
January 10, 2017 19:07 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBFor those of us who lived through it, Beatlemania and the turbulence of the 1960s were watershed times in the history of popular culture. There had been nothing like it before, and there hasn't been anything like it since. Music journalist Steve Turner's's life in London gave him a front row seat and insider's look at cultural change that is fascinating. His insights are helpful to us as we think about the role pop culture plays in our lives. We'll be talking to Steve Turner about the inters...
Episode 27: "Changes and Ministry On The College Campus" with Mike Gaffney
January 03, 2017 16:35 - 1 hour - 80.5 MBIn recent years, more and more parents and youth workers have become legitimately concerned about what happens to their high school graduates once they head off to college. Among the many challenges students face is the diminishing of Christian faith. It seems that what they once embraced, is weakened and at times forgotten. Mike Gaffney discusses with us how we can encourage and support faith development so that it stands firm during the university years. Walt and Jason start the podcast o...
Episode 26: "Teaching the Next Generations" with Terry Linhart
December 22, 2016 20:03 - 1 hour - 84.2 MBOur children and teens are like sponges, created to learn. Because of where they're at developmentally, they are especially impressionable and vulnerable. One of the most effective molders of young hearts and minds in the culture. As Christian parents and youth workers, our job is to nurture them in the Christian faith so that they will grow up to be lovers and doers of the truth of Christ. In this episode, our friend Dr. Terry Linhart will help us learn about effective nurture and instructi...
Episode 25: "Sexuality and More" with Dale Kuehne
November 30, 2016 10:00 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBWhat is our culture telling us about sex and sexuality? Is the culture pointing us and our kids to a kind of sexual flourishing that reflects God's will and way for our sexuality? And what does it mean to have a biblical understanding of sexuality? In this episode, we're talking to college professor and author Dale Kuehne about his book "Sex and the iWorld," the current sexual mood on campus, how to have conversations with students about sexuality and a whole lot more. Walt and Jason open t...
Episode 24: "Liturgies, Our Loves and Our Habits" with James K. A. Smith
November 21, 2016 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBWalt and Jason start the podcast off with a discussion about taking a trip to Mars, as well as youth culture news and trends related to the Chicago Cubs, energy drinks, new technological advancements, football and brain injuries, cyber dating abuse and media recommendations for kids. Then we chat with Jamie Smith about our cultural liturgies and his new book, "You Are What You Love," and what that means for students, parents, and youth workers.
Episode 23: "Navigating Puberty" with Crystal Kirgiss
November 09, 2016 20:10 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBPuberty. Adolescence. Sadly, those are words that sometimes strike fear in the heart of parents. But should it be that way? Taking the time to understand the realities of puberty and adolescence in today's world goes a long way in preparing us to parent, lead, and minister to teenagers in today's rapidly changing world. We talk with our friend Crystal Kirgiss about puberty, adolescence, and a whole lot more on this episode of Youth Culture Matters. Our opening segment takes a look at trends ...
Episode 22: "Sports, Parenting, Compassion, Faith and Fandom" with Jeremy Affeldt
October 28, 2016 16:16 - 1 hour - 82.1 MBThis episode begins with Walt and Jason discussing youth culture news related to education outside of schools, name pronunciation, technology, virtual reality headsets, a new music platform and generational differences in finances. Then former Major League Baseball player and 3 time World Series Champion, Jeremy Affeldt, joins the podcast. He discusses being a professional ball player in a sports obsessed culture as well as the pressures we place on our young kids to perform athletically. He...
Episode 21: "Slowing Down and Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus" with Rick Lawrence
October 24, 2016 17:51 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBWalt and Jason open the podcast discussing youth culture news related to playing in the dirt, new words in the dictionary, teens and food insecurities, and a new app to combat bullying. Then during the interview segment our friend Rick Lawrence, the Executive Editor of Group Magazine joins us. Rick is a strong advocate for creative teaching methods. As the times change and youth culture morphs into new shapes and forms, parents and youth workers must consider how to best engage kids in conve...
Episode 20: "Pumpkin Spice" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek
October 14, 2016 13:18 - 1 hour - 77 MBWhen you were a teenager did you want to be seen and perceived as cool? In today's youth culture, the concept of cool is what drives fads, trends, and purchases. In fact, marketers are all about capturing, mass-producing, and selling cool. But can cool become a hindrance to spiritual growth? Can it become an idol that consumes our lives? Walt and Jason take a look at these questions and more in this "Pumpkin Spice" episode.
Episode 19: "Maintaining Faith in College, Apologetics and Biblical Theology" with Sean McDowell
October 04, 2016 14:52 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about negativity in pop culture, college and social media, TV and Snapchat, and 'The Shame List.' For the 2nd and 3rd segments of this podcast, Sean McDowell joins Walt and Jason discuss issues of faith, culture, worldview and apologetics. As a professor at Biola University and also a part-time high school teacher, Sean also helps us know what we can do as parents and youth workers to help prepare our kids for college and t...
Episode 18: "An Honest Discussion about Pornography" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek
September 21, 2016 12:45 - 1 hour - 83.1 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about parental shaming on social media, Pokemon Go, texting while driving, Elizabeth Smart, magazine covers and more. For the 2nd and 3rd segments of this podcast, Walt and Jason discuss the devastating effects of pornography and what it does to our brains, our relationships, and even our marriages. They close by looking at both preventive and redemptive steps we can take in dealing with issues related to pornography, both ...
Episode 17: "Learning from Educators" with Kara Twining and Barry Ferguson
September 13, 2016 18:48 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBWalt and Jason discuss news related to celebrity endorsements, exposure to drugs and alcohol, cellphones and concerts, the Pope, the mindset of college freshmen and burping in school. Then Kara Twining and Barry Ferguson join the podcast to discuss the world of education and the changes they've seen working in various education fields over the last 20-30 years. Kara has worked as a middle school teacher as well as a high school guidance counselor, while Barry has taught middle school as well...
Episode 16: "Self-Injury" with Dr. Marv Penner
August 30, 2016 20:08 - 1 hour - 78.4 MBWalt and Jason discuss news related to selfies, YouTube celebrities, sexuality, reading, stories, weak handshakes and more. Then Dr. Marv Penner joins the podcast to talk about self-injury, self-mutilation, cutting, and what parents and youth workers can do to understand this behavior and move kids into healing. He takes a look at how the understanding of self-harm has changed over the last few decades and shares the insights he has gained over the years of counseling students who practice v...
Episode 15: "Media Discernment, 'M.I.L.F. $,' and Mindful Critique" with Walt Mueller and Jason Soucinek
August 17, 2016 20:08 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest in youth culture including stories about a new dating app for teens, Miss Teen USA, children, teens and resiliency, Draymond Green and naughty photos, Pokemon Go and trampoline parks. The rest of the podcast focuses on CPYU's most popular resource, "How to Use Your Head to Guard Your Heart: A 3(D) Guide to Making Responsible Media Choices." Walt talks about how the resource came about and provides a brief overview of the 3(D) steps and the role media discern...
Episode 14: "How Parents and 'The Comb Over Guy' Can Influence The Faith of Teenagers" with Dan Dupee
July 26, 2016 18:32 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBWalt and Jason have some fun looking back down memory lane and their athletic accomplishments but also take the time to reflect on people in their lives who greatly influenced their spiritual development. They then turn the conversation to speak with Dan Dupee, author of a new book titled "It's Not Too Late: The Essential Part You Play in Shaping Your Teen's Faith." Dan is also the former president and current Chairman of the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Dan discusses some of the surpri...
Episode 13: "Race, Youth Ministry and The Church" with Dr. Virginia Ward
July 14, 2016 16:56 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBWalt and Jason speak with Dr. Virginia Ward, Director of Leadership and Mentored Ministry Initiatives, Youth and Family and Ministry Leadership Studies, for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Boston, also called the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME). Dr. Ward discusses what it was like growing up as an African American female, what systemic racism looks like, what we can do in the world of youth ministry and The Church to build relationships between urban and suburban communit...
Episode 12: "Suffering, Trauma and Abuse" With Dr. Diane Langberg
July 01, 2016 14:01 - 1 hour - 77.3 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including pre-marital sex and divorce rates, vegan teenagers, youth broadcasting crimes on social media and more. Then Dr. Diane Langberg joins the podcast to talk about trauma being the mission field of the 21st century and the role of suffering. Walt and Dr. Langberg also discuss her new book titled Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores. They also discuss how church leaders must guard themselves from...
Episode 11: "A Conversation about Transgender Issues" with Chap Clark and Duffy Robbins
June 15, 2016 10:30 - 1 hour - 77.1 MBWalt and Jason forgo the normal youth culture news section to dive right into a conversation about transgender issues. Chap Clark of Fuller Theological Seminary and Duffy Robbins of Eastern University join the conversation to discuss what it looks like for The Church, and youth ministry in particular, to address issues related to gender and gender identity. What approach should we take when thinking about these topics? What do we do when we have a transgender student in our ministry? These q...
Episode 10: "Cross-Cultural Youth Ministry with Asian Students" with Jodi Chung and Danny Kwon
June 06, 2016 03:06 - 1 hour - 83.3 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including legalized marijuana, sleep problems, cultural morality, social media and anxiousness, the spending habits of Millennials and more. Then veteran youth workers Jodi Chung of West Houston Chinese Church and Danny Kwon of Young Sang Presbyterian Church join the podcast to talk about cross-cultural youth ministry with Asian students. Danny and Jodi help inform us of cultural issues such as academic pressure, the role of shame, min...
Episode 09: "Christian Sexual Ethics" with Dennis Hollinger
May 26, 2016 17:25 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, including pornography, concussion recovery, a look at teenagers 50 years ago, fentanyl and cultural lies. Then Dr. Dennis Hollinger, President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and author of The Meaning of Sex: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life joins the podcast to talk about Christian ethics are how a Christian worldview should help inform the Church's response to current cultural hot topics such as homosexual marriage, sexual...
Episode 08: "The Digital Playground and the Quest for Identity" with Amy Flavin
May 18, 2016 16:35 - 1 hour - 84.4 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as video game research, texting while driving, double standards regarding sex, monkey selfies and more. Then Amy Flavin joins the podcast to talk about the digital playground our teenagers grow up in today and how that plays a role in their identity formation. Amy brings insights from her counseling practice, her doctoral research and her 30+ years in youth ministry alongside her husband Mike.
Episode 07: "Music, Worship & Community" with Greg and Rebecca Sparks
May 10, 2016 17:56 - 1 hour - 95.9 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as Nordstrom using Snapchat, "The Curse of Being Cool," social media, moral values and more. Then Greg and Rebecca Sparks talk about their journey through the contemporary Christian music scene, leading people in worship, and connecting with others through local community ministry.
Episode 06: "Digital Kids and Social Media" with Walt Mueller
May 03, 2016 12:57 - 1 hour - 78.9 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such new definitions surrounding gender identity, the death of Prince, substance abuse, masculinity and school shootings, suicide rates, generational parenting differences and more. Then Jason interviews Walt about the work CPYU is doing through the Digital Kids Initiative. Walt shares some of the blessings and curses this new digital frontier has brought and then discusses some best practices we can all use as we interact through soci...
Episode 05: "When Crisis Hits" with Rich Van Pelt
April 20, 2016 08:00 - 1 hour - 81.1 MBWalt and Jason discuss the latest news in youth culture, such as Tommy John surgeries among young athletes, today's freshman class and protesting, rat studies and the teenage brain, raising the smoking age and more. Then Rich Van Pelt joins the podcast to talk about the what to do when crisis hits and how to help teens in crisis. Walt and Rich briefly look back at the Columbine massacre and Rich shares lessons that were gleaned from that tragic event.
Episode 04 - "Straight Choices in a Crooked World" with Duffy Robbins
April 12, 2016 13:42 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBWalt and Jason discuss news related to co-sleeping, millennials and anxiety, body image, gender identity, Snapchat, water-less toilets and more. Then youth ministry veteran Duffy Robbins joins the podcast to talk about the markers of adolescent foolishness and how to develop wisdom in teenagers.
Episode 03 - "Books, Books, Books" with Byron Borger
April 04, 2016 01:31 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBWalt and Jason discuss news related to caffeine, pornography, The Beatles, smartphone addiction, 'The Most Interesting Man in the World' and more. Then Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds books joins the podcast to talk about reading to the glory of God and the future of books. Then Byron runs through a long list of books that he highly recommends for our audience.
Episode 02 - "The Challenge of Church Kids" with Marv Penner
March 23, 2016 19:26 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBWalt and Jason discuss news related to sexting, selfies, performance enhancing substances, teens and driving and more. Then Dr. Marv Penner joins the podcast to talk about the challenge of church kids and what we can do as parents and youth workers to encourage church kids to grow and embody a vibrant faith in Jesus Christ.
Episode 01 - "Five Non-Negotiables When It Comes to Talking to Kids About Sexuality"
March 08, 2016 20:19 - 1 hour - 61 MBIn this premiere episode of Youth Culture Matters - A CPYU Podcast, Walt and Jason discuss substance abuse, youth sports and concussions, sexual violence and coercion, as well as "Five Non-Negotiables When It Comes to Talking to Kids About Sexuality."